Dear Dave,

What’s the best way to ask for a raise at work? --Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

I think the first 10 sentences that come out of your mouth should be about gratitude. Let your boss know how much you like being there and all the things you appreciate about the business and your job. It’s always a good idea to get the point across that you’re grateful for what you already have before you go looking for more.

The next step might be to detail the attributes you bring to the company—the traits, habits and accomplishments—that make you valuable to the organization, and why they make you more valuable than your paycheck currently indicates. Then, ask your boss to reconsider your compensation based on these factors. It wouldn’t be a bad idea, either, to do a compensation study based on the salaries of people in your line of work, who are employed by comparably-sized organizations in your region. Asking for a raise is one thing, but putting the research into your request that proves what you’re asking for is fair and well reasoned never hurts!

Smile a lot and make sure you keep any hints of bitterness or anger out of the conversation, too. You’re trying to persuade this person to see things your way. Just remember, no matter how convincing your argument may be, the answer—for whatever reason—could always be “no.” You need to be ready to accept it with the same professionalism and grace that went into your request. If you don’t, you just might knock yourself out of a raise or promotion somewhere down the road! --Dave

We're Safe From Murphy, Right?

Dear Dave, Continued...